Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 453665

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effects of lowered Paxil dosage

Posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 15:18:12

Hey, It's nice to know I'm not by myself in dealing with Anxiety. Eight days ago I went from 25mg of PaxilCR to 12.5mg. Every day since then I have had an increase of shocking like sensations through-out my whole body but mainly in my head. I even get this woshing sound in my head that last a split second while my body is going thru this shocking sensation. I've been on paxil for about a year and just want to be off completely. My anxiety symptoms had gotten better while on 25mg. Should I just wait this out and see if this crazy like sensation goes away?

 

Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage

Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 5, 2005, at 15:32:23

In reply to effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 15:18:12

With Paxil you need to lower your dose very, very slowly. The withdrawal can be a nightmare. If you are having bad side effects now, you might need to go up a little again. When I was getting off paxil, I had terrible w/drawal effects--psychological (feeling suicidally depressed) and physical (extreme sleepiness, headache, nausea). And, I should add, that I typically am pretty resillent to side effects!

When I was finally getting off I was taking 1/8 of a 10 mg pill!! Taking Ativan to take the edge off helped some. Also, I was looking to switch to a new med and so my pdoc was able to start to add in prozac as I was tappering the paxil.

So in conclusion, don't rush it! Getting there faster is NOT worth it! Also, talk to your doc about these side effects and maybe s/he can help a little.

Best,
EE

 

Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage

Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2005, at 17:36:02

In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 5, 2005, at 15:32:23

The only side-effect I had when getting off l0mg, was every time I blinked, turned my head, etc, I felt like I lost consciousness for a milli second. I eliminated this with taking smaller and smaller doses. Of course, I was also on xanax and drinking beer, all with the knowledge of the Bad pdoc. See my previous Post about the pending charges on him. Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage

Posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 18:50:30

In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2005, at 17:36:02

How long can I expect to experience this "whoosh" electric-like sensation every time I look in a different direction. I realize everyone is different but this is really annoying and I'm debating whether or not to raise the dosage back to 25mg. I would like to get drug free, though to see if I can cope.

 

Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage ยป sunshine3

Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2005, at 18:57:02

In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 18:50:30

You are on the time-release form and have been taking a higher dose than I was. Call in the med experts!Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage

Posted by SLS on February 6, 2005, at 9:00:27

In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 5, 2005, at 15:32:23

> When I was finally getting off I was taking 1/8 of a 10 mg pill!! Taking Ativan to take the edge off helped some.

This is great advice. This even includes the Ativan idea, although I would wait to try a modified taper first. I found that I reduced my discomfort by taking miniscule amounts *several* times a day - even the extended release version.

Going from 25mg to 12.5mg is a 50% decrease. That is quite a steep decline. At this point, however, I think I might opt to stick it out at 12.5 until the withdrawal syndrome lessens substantially before continuing to taper. If the withdrawal effects are too uncomfortable right now, try taking 1/3 of a 12.5 tablet three times a day. Then try taking smaller and smaller amounts (bite off pieces of the tablet if necessary). Towards the end of my discontinuation of Paxil, I purposely waited until the beginnings of the withdrawal syndrome appeared, and nibbled off minute pieces of medication until I was down to zero. I did it by "feel". You will notice that the time periods between the appearance of withdrawal symptoms will get longer and longer. It's sort of like using Paxil as a PRN whenever withdrawal symptoms develop; using the minimum amound necessary to do the job.

I used this strategy with Effexor also. With both Paxil and Effexor, trying to come off of it using a more "traditional" taper caused me to harsh experience withdrawal effects with the brain-zaps and everything, so it's not as if I am resistant to a discontinuation withdrawal syndrome with these drugs. Still, it must be understood that my strategy of discontinuing these drugs might not generalize to everyone.

Good luck. Please post of your progress.


- Scott


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